Back in the (gym) saddle again.

Wednesday, March 06, 2013

Okay. So all through work today, i thought about gyms. I haven't had good experiences with gyms. It's always a bunch of rude staff who don't pay you any mind because you're not pretty, and a bunch of pretty people floating around the machines barely breaking a sweat. Gtfo of here right now. I hate that, and I always quit going.
I've been watching the Biggest Loser this season, and they have been promoting Planet Fitness. I've seen the commercials too, and they pulled me in. If you haven't seen them, YouTube it. They are funny as heck. Anyway, so by the time I clocked out, I was bound and determined to join the gym. I picked up my kiddo and headed to the one on my side of town. The parking lot wasnt packed, but it was full. I walked in and was immediately greated. I told them I was interested in joining, and they basically gave me the run down of the gym. Tons of equipment, tons of bonuses. For $20 a month, I get unlimited fitness training, unlimited use of tanning beds, unlimited use of massage chairs, unlimited use of hydramassage tables, unlimited guest privileges, there's a personal trainer that I can use anytime for free... I was totally sold. Only cost me $1 to sign up today. Amazing right?!
I called my mom and told her that I was joining. She's iffy on it because its more money I'm gonna have to come up with.. But I told her that the at home thing just is not working for me anymore. Too many distractions, too easy to put it off, too easy to skip it, my kid underfoot... Ill go for the first time tomorrow.
I also liked it because the demographic was very diverse. There was skinny people, fat people, old people, young people, a nice variety. No "lunkheads" swaggering around with little reed thin blondes hanging off their arms, trying to lift (as a Sparkfriend once said) eleventybillion pounds at one time. I'm hoping it will make me a lot more comfortable.
Here's to hoping, because I'm scared at how fast I'm sliding down the slope of weight gain right now.

For those of you that also go to the gym, how to you decide on a routine for the gym? I know the cardio part, but how do you know what machines to use and what muscles to work? I usually just walk around looking at machines and then just pick one... Probably should be more organized than that, lol.

I think it's great you joined. Personally, I've been going to a gym fairly consistently since May 2010. Well, I've had fits and starts with going before that, but May 2010 is when I first started going to my current one.

I think your view of gyms before you signed up is very common, and honestly, most gym companies are trying to break through that because their future prospects aren't muscleheads and skinny minnies anymore but the ever-increasing population of overweight and obese people. It pays for them to focus on people like us, and Planet Fitness (and before that, 24-Hour Fitness) sponsor The Biggest Loser for this very reason.

You mentioned you have the cardio down so I won't go into that, except to say that it's fun to do something different for cross-training whenever I get the urge. I mostly just run, but it's fun to get on an elliptical, go swimming, or attend a spin class just for the heck of it.

As for strength training, SparkPeople does a decent job of coming up with exercises for you, just make sure you have "gym machines" and "swiss ball", etc., checked, otherwise it will just give you strength training that just uses body weight. There's certainly nothing wrong with those and you should include those, but if you're paying for the gym, make sure to utilize the different machines and free weights. Don't be afraid to scan through all the different exercises (either on SparkPeople or when you're browsing the machines at the gym) and try something new whenever you feel like it.

Looking forward to your report of how it goes. My husband has membership but never goes. My girlfriend joined but hasn't gone yet. I told her I would drive up and meet her there in middle of night for encouragement. Lol